The last imperial dynasty from 1644 to 1912 was a time of change in China, beginning with the invasion by Manchurian forces that ended the Ming dynasty and established the Shunzhi Emperor. The expansion of exportation and trade that had bolstered the arts during the Ming era continued, as Qing dynasty furniture involved the same attention to craftsmanship with expert construction techniques in hardwood pieces that were assembled with mortise and tenon joints rather than nails or glue. Together, these eras comprise a golden age of Chinese furniture design.
Ming-style furniture is simple and elegant with clean lines. Chairs of the period and other Ming furniture made an impression on Scandinavian modernist Hans Wegner and his streamlined seating, for example. Whereas Qing-style furniture is elaborate, with an increasing influence from the West leading to lavish carving inspired by the European Baroque and Rococo styles. And while many of the forms that define examples of the latter are common within classical Chinese furniture, such as curving and folding chairs as well as large screens, Qing designs are laden with ornamentation. Frequently, the carved motifs and inlaid designs in mother-of-pearl were auspicious, such as peonies for wealth or dragons for luck. Bats were symbols of happiness in the design of Qing furniture, with one of the characters in the word for bat, bianfu, being a homophone for fu, or “fortune.”
While several types of wood were used in the construction of Qing beds, tables, storage pieces and seating, today’s collectors know that the most prized were the rare rosewoods zitan and huanghuali. They were both sourced from Hainan, China’s largest island, and are marked by a rich luster that occurs naturally, without the application of lacquer or other decorative materials. Many of the most popular woods were imported from southeast Asia, adding to their value. Red sandalwood was also sought after for its durability and connection with Chinese medicine, with some chairs being made for health benefits.
Find a collection of antique Qing tea tables, stools, benches, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Chinese Lacquered Fang Deng Side Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Stools have been a favored form of seating in Chinese culture for centuries and were used indoors and out at mealtimes and during social gatherings. This style of low square stool is...
Elm
$2,580 / set
Pair of Chinese Round Corner Cube Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
The streamlined form of these low Chinese side tables draws from the austere designs of Ming-dynasty furniture. Lightweight and open, the cube-form tables have square-corner legs lin...
Elm
Pair of Petite Chinese Lacquered Kang Chests, Late 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
These charming little storage chests date to the late 19th century and are the perfect place to stow household odds and ends. Petite in scale, the small cabinets were originally used...
Elm
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Qing Dynasty Alter Console Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
19th century Qing Dynasty alter console table Beautifully aged patina with 3 drawers and original brass pulls. Cabinet is accented with scrolled ...
Teak
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Qing Dynasty Square End Table, Black Lacquer & Pearl Inlay, 1789
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Qing Dynasry Square Table in Black Lacquer « Daki » inlaid with thick white shiny « Luodian » pearl . Round decorations on the top « Symbol of the immortal » and some flowers s...
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Elm Side Tables – Dark Patina Antique End Tables
Located in IT
This pair of 19th-century Chinese elm side tables showcases timeless craftsmanship and a beautifully aged dark patina that highlights their authentic charm. Crafted from solid elm, t...
Elm
Chinese Peachwood Side Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
With swirling grain and warm coloring, the subtle beauty of peach wood stars in this low side table from China's Shanxi province. Crafted in the mid-19th century using traditional jo...
Fruitwood
Pair of Chinese Reeded Leg Square Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
More portable than heavy chairs, stools have been a favored form of seating in Chinese culture for centuries and were used indoors and out at mealtimes and during social gatherings. ...
Elm, Walnut
Chinese Lacquered Two-Door Chest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfecting line and proportion, this cabinet’s minimalist design celebrates the natural beauty and texture of northern elm (yumu). Accented with a carved lotus apron and the quiet lu...
Brass
Pair of Palladio Accent Tables with Round Carrara Marble Tops
By Palladio
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of side tables, by the Italian design house, Palladio. Each table having a round top of Carrara marble, held by scallop shell clips, of brass. The pedestal bases of gilt metal w...
Carrara Marble, Metal
Pair of Jacobean Round Side Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Jacobean style round side table with an ogee top edge, in our distressed rustic country wood tone with natural highlights, with a hand rubbed satin finish. Dimensions: 24" W x 2...
Wood
A Pair Of Burr Elm End Or Side Tables By Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois
Located in London, GB
A square almost cubed set of end or side tables in well configured Burr Elm. Possibly by J C Mahey or another similar designer for Roche Bobois. Tables are in good condition and ver...
Elm
Pair of Smoked Lucite Cube End Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of dark smoked Lucite cube tables. Wonderfully square and recently polished, can be used as a split coffee table or unexpected end tables.
Lucite
$1,848
H 28.75 in W 11.23 in D 17.72 in
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN CIRCA 1880 CHINESE CHINOISERIE LACQUERED SiDE END LAMP TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1880-1900 hand made Chinese Chinoiserie side end lamp table single drawer Please note th...
Wood
Pair of Acrylic Cube End Tables
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Acrylic or Lucite end or side tables, American, circa 1980s. They are a versatile size and can be used as end or side tables, or as night stands. They were made without a bot...
Acrylic
$1,985
H 27.17 in Dm 13.98 in
LOVELY ANTiQUE CHINESE CHINOISERIE LACQUERED & HAND PAINTED SIDE LAMP WINE TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite hand made in China Chinoiserie painted and lacquered side table Please note the delivery fee...
Wood
French 19th Century Side Table
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century parquetry and marquetry side table. Having floral inlaid decoration to the top and under-tier. The top hinges open to reveal a compartmented interior...
Kingwood
$3,100
H 32.5 in W 36 in D 18 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elm Wine Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period Elmwood wine tasting console table from the 19th century, with humpback stretcher and horse hoof feet. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this El...
Elm
19th Century French Louis XV Walnut Nightstand ~ End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis XV walnut nightstand ~ end table is remarkable in that it's carved on all four sides with wonderful Rococo...
Walnut
$2,875
H 34 in W 42 in D 28 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Altar Console Table with Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, with carved apron and side stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this altar console table fea...
Wood
$2,875
H 33 in W 39 in D 19 in
Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Period Console Table with Carved Spandrels
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period console table from the 19th century, with carved spandrels. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, this c...
Wood
Tortoise Bamboo 19th Century Small Side Tables - a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Qing Dynasty Tortoise Bamboo Small Rattan Side Tables. Unusual to have a pair of original Tortoise Rattan and Bamboo Tables. Very delicate scale with added glass shelf settin...
Rattan
Pair of Chinese Black Lacquer Locking Chests, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfecting line and proportion, the simple design of these small locking chests celebrates the restraint of classic Chinese furniture forms. Crafted of elm (yumu) using mortise-and-t...
Elm
Red Lacquer End Table with Single Drawer and Horse Hoof Feet
Located in Yonkers, NY
A small red lacquered end table with square top, single drawer and horse hoof legs. This charming small end table, crafted in a radiant red lacquer finish, is a charming relic of ant...
Brass
Set of Four Limestone Melon Drum Stools
Located in Chicago, IL
This set of four large stone drum stools was carved from solid limestone with a ribbed texture suggestive of a squash or melon, traditional symbols of longevity and perpetuity. The d...
Limestone
Chinese Limestone Melon Drum
Located in Chicago, IL
This large stone drum stool was carved from solid limestone with a ribbed texture suggestive of a squash or melon, traditional symbols of longevity and perpetuity. The drum-form stoo...
Limestone
Circa 1860-80 Qing Dynasty Wood & Marble Table
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860-80 Chinese carved wood & marble inset stand table. Qing dynasty. The upper shelf with pierced apron, the lower intaglio carved. Measures: 31 1/2" h., 16 1/8" w., 12 1/8...
Marble
Early 19th Century Chinese Elm Stool
Located in Greenwich, CT
An early 19th century Qing dynasty stool or small table in elm, beautifully crafted of a mitred top with rounded edges on four slightly splayed spok...
Elm
Pair of Antique Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Lacquered Drum Stools or Tables
Located in Peabody, MA
A pair of Chinese lacquered Zuodun drum tables from the late Qing dynasty, approximately ca. 1900. Overall diameter is 23.75", diameter of tops is 18.75".
Wood
Pair of Chinese Stacked Stretcher Square Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This form of square stool, or fang deng, was a versatile seating option and was pulled up for use at mealtimes or used outdoors in a courtyard or garden. The pair is expertly crafted...
Elm
Chinese Qing Style Cypress Tables, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Qing style Cypress wood occasional tables, a pair (2), square, each in the manner of Qing period waisted corner-leg stools in the Changfangdeng form...
Cypress
Chinese Jewelry Box Side Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, this little box was used by a Qing-dynasty woman to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. Crafted of birch wood, the jewelry chest has two shallow drawers and opens to a large mirror and interior tray. A latch in the shape of a bat tops the front, a symbol of happiness and good fortune, and two brass keyhole escutcheons shaped as ornate charms decorate the drawers. We've re-imagined this charming jewelry box as a petite side table, elevated by a custom steel table...
Brass, Steel
Chinese Jewelry Box Side Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, this little box was used by a Qing-dynasty woman to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. Crafted of birch wood, the jewelry chest has two shallow drawers and opens to a large mirror and tiered interior compartment. The front is ornamented with a lotus-form brass key hole escutcheon and two brass drawer pulls in the form of ancient locks, symbols of protection and longevity. We've re-imagined this charming jewelry box as a petite side table, elevated by a custom steel table...
Brass, Steel